NAB orders probe into air safari scandal

ISLAMABAD: The accountability watchdog has taken notice of the alleged use by a top official of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) plane for air safari of the Nanga Parbat.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Javed Iqbal has ordered complaint verification against the CAA Director General Hassan Baig, who reportedly took the PIA’s plane scheduled for a flight from Skardu to Islamabad for the trip.

Baig recently denied the allegation saying he never took the plane rather the PIA chief executive officer (CEO) invited him for the trip, which, he said, was arranged by the national flag carrier at the inauguration of the safari.

The plane was scheduled to fly from Skardu to Islamabad but due to unscheduled air safari, the flight was delayed causing inconvenience to dozens of passengers who had to wait for hours at Skardu airport.

NAB chairman has ordered NAB DG for Gilgit/Rawalpindi to probe into the matter and submit a report.

He has also sought a report from the PIA about the action it has taken so far against its former CEO who without any legal authority sold a PIA plane to a German museum at a throwaway price.

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NAB chairman said the PIA is our national asset and safety of this asset is our national duty. He directed to identify the real culprits involved in both the incidents so that they are brought to justice and to recover the monetary loss caused by them.

Source: Express Tribune